The refinery was originally built in 1909 but operated for only ten years before being abandoned due to falling copper prices.
The museum uses a solar chimney system to induce natural ventilation, pulling air through the subterranean flues of the old refinery.
The slag bricks used in the original construction were manufactured from the residue of copper smelting, giving the structure its distinct dark, glass-like appearance.
Yukinori Yanagi’s installation, 'Hero Dry Cell,' incorporates materials from the author Yukio Mishima's former Tokyo residence.
The site was restored with the specific intention of preserving the decay of the refinery rather than erasing its history.
The architecture is designed to reflect the island's 'in-and-out' flow of energy, mimicking the old refinery's internal processes.
Inujima Seirensho Art Museum is a contemporary art space housed within the preserved, semi-ruined shell of a 1909 copper refinery on Inujima Island. Architect Hiroshi Sambuichi repurposed the site by integrating the existing slag-brick chimneys and flues into a climate-controlled, energy-efficient gallery. The museum utilizes natural light, wind, and geothermal heat to regulate internal conditions without mechanical systems. Art installations, notably by Yukinori Yanagi, are physically integrated into the industrial ruins, reflecting on Japan's modernization and author Yukio Mishima. The facility is part of the Benesse Art Site Naoshima, which focuses on the intersection of site-specific art and regional history. Visitors navigate through dark, labyrinthine concrete corridors that emerge into areas of natural illumination. The island's geography remains central to the museum's design, which emphasizes sustainability and the preservation of industrial heritage.
The exterior viewing platform that overlooks the massive, weathered brick chimneys and the surrounding Seto Inland Sea.
Bring a light jacket as the temperature inside the corridors is regulated by geothermal earth tubes and can feel significantly cooler than the outside air.
Ensure your footwear is comfortable for walking on uneven, aged industrial surfaces.
Follow the designated art route to ensure you do not miss the hidden, light-sensitive installations.
Do not attempt to explore the restricted, fenced-off sections of the industrial ruins for safety reasons.
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except when these days fall on a public holiday.
Photography is strictly prohibited inside the main exhibition spaces; flash is never permitted.
